The countdown to Spain has almost officially begun. I’m actually scared to start the real countdown because then it’s REAL. Some other real things that happened this past week:
1. My Team USA “kit” (you know the uniform with my name on it!) is on the way to my house as I type. Squeeee!!!
2. I received my Team USA hat and shirt and I’ve been sleeping with them both. Is that weird?
3. I had a kick ass week of training and racing with a little help from my friends.
WEEK OF APRIL 21, 2014
RUNNING: I’m still getting a runner’s high from Marathon Monday and Meb and Shalane’s performances. How can you not? Meb is one of my all time favorite running heroes, and I just love that Shalane is also know as the “pony-tailed assassin.” Can someone think up a badass nickname like that for me? In honor of all the runners in Boston last Monday, I ran my own 8-miler with my Boston Marathon shirt from 2007. I smiled the whole time. My running total this week was only 22 miles, but three of those were in a 5K race!
With that game face, I knew you could do it!
CYCLING: Once again, because of the miserable spring weather here (read: RAIN!), I was resigned to do all my bike mileage indoors this week. This does not make me happy. I know I need to bike on wet roads at some point, but I never have, and I’m not going to christen my bike and body when it’s actually pouring outside. I’m just not.
I hope to get out for all my mileage this week, maybe even take my spin class outside too! Total bike mileage this week was 78, and if I knew how close I was to 80 I would have done two more. Darn it!
CROSS-TRAINING: I made it in the pool again! I had a great pool workout, not to mention a good friend of mine, who is also a swimming coach, swimming instructor and all-around swim guru, happened to be in the pool and gave me some great advice on my stroke. Thanks Joel! My workout consisted of a 20 lap warm-up, 10×50 with 2 min rest in between sets (and to get feedback from Joel aka swim coach) then 8×25 sprints with 10 second rest in between. I’ll let you guess which part of that workout I liked best.
RACING: Sunday was the March of Dimes (Run for Babies) inaugural 5K race! The race was fantastic in a way that burning lung pain and churning legs is fantastic. It was a very interesting race on a few levels, so I’m going to give it it’s own post later this week. I know the suspense is killing you.
All smiles post-race…but, who isn’t when it’s over?
FUEL: I’m happy to report that not only did I get my Runnerbox this week but I also got two bags of Hippie Chick Granola to fuel my training! What’s Hippie Chick granola you ask? It’s made with love and inspiration by Ilene of Fierce Diva Guide to Life and can be ordered HERE. I highly recommend it! I also managed to sneak away to the UCONN Dairy Bar with the boys. There’s nothing like homemade ice cream straight from the cow.
Miles hates ice cream.
THINGS I LOVE: Seeing running groups out on a local trail. The last two times I was out running, there has been a group of mostly older men out there tearing it up. When I pass them, I like to tell them to “pick it up!” and then they fake give chase or yell up ahead to their friends things like “Don’t let her pass you! Hold her down if you need to!” Hilarious. On one such run, a friend of mine, who also happens to be the women’s track coach at a local high school, was out there in the rain running with her dog. I was doing a ladder of 10 min easy, 15 min hard and 5 min all out. I was so happy to get her input on my form (very good and relaxed! Imagine that!?) when we met up at the parking lot. Thanks Dani!
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH: Chafing! Out on the trail on a rainy morning, I had a wardrobe malfunction with my sock, which resulted in the skin on the side of my heel being slowly stripped down to a bloody pulp. I could have stopped to pull up my sock but ‘aint nobody got time for that! The problem is taking a shower for the next two days. The words “searing pain” come to mind.
MUSIC: Listening to music is that much more enjoyable when you’re getting your toes done! I was lucky enough to sneak out for a “nail party” this past week with some of my gym friends. Those poor technicians had to deal with way too many runner’s feet! We tipped well, especially since we were drinking our way though it.
Can you guess which foot is mine?
TV: I’m happy to report that I’ve had almost zero time for tv this week. Instead, I went to a birthday dinner with some good friends on Thursday, had the nail party on Friday and date night with the hubs on Saturday. I’ll take any of those over TV any day!
READING: Bowling scores. Ever have a bowling party with 14, five year-olds? I highly recommend it if you want to thoroughly exhaust yourself and constantly be tracking who is up next, making sure no one looses a foot in the process. It seemed like a good idea when I booked the party. I may have been on a runner’s high.
A Skylander party of course! At least the boys agreed on a theme.
RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: It’s been decided that I should get a bull tattoo after Spain. Thanks Kendra!
[Tweet “What did your friends help you with this week? #TeamUSA #tattoos #5K #NoTimeForTV”]
What was the highlight of your week?
What do your friends help you with?
Do you have any tattoos? If not, would you ever get one?
Love the post Allie! No I don’t think it’s weird to sleep with your gear! I don’t know which foot is yours but I hope it’s not the hairy one in the lower right corner. Hehe! No real highlights here. I have two tattoos and would love to get more. Only problem is that it’s expensive.
Funny!
I love finding out that people have “hidden” tattoos which is what happened once the tattoo discussion at the nail salon started!
so excited for you!!! I wish I could go be part of your cheering squad! Go USA!!
You are Emma! Thank you.
Love the idea of the bull tattoo! And love the nail party. I need to do that–never had a pedicure in my life, can you believe it?
Go Team USA…it’s getting real!!
You haven’t??? After ALL those miles you have logged? Go get one NOW!
Ohhhh, mama! I hear ya on the searing pain in the shower post-run! Ouch! A sure sign that I’m running again is the wicked chafe marks on my chest. I keep forgetting the BodyGlide! So excited for Spain! If I were yoy, I’d starting sleeping with my kit as soon as it arrived!
Isn’t it the worst!? I’ve been battling it on my chest b/c of my HR monitor and now the foot just put me over the edge. I’m scarred for life.
I think I’m going to start waiting on my front porch on Wednesday until my kit shows up. 🙂
Cannot believe Spain is almost here and seriously the time is flying. I am truly hoping though that the weather gets nicer and more spring like, too. Seriously, yesterday at soccer, I was so cold and I had two sweatshirts on. So, I understand about cycling indoors and wished we could have moved soccer indoors, too. Lastly yay for the date night, too!! 🙂
I hear ya! I have soccer tonight and the temp drastically drops between 5-7. I have to bring layers!
Thanks Janine!
Love the idea of the nail party! I need to put that together with my running mama friends. Love the story about the running group on the trail!
It was great and so fun. You should totally do it.
I love having fun with the “old” men on the trail. They are too much! I hope I’m still out there when I’m their age 🙂
I don’t think the “Cuban missile” has any copyrights in baseball. Just sayin’
I like it!!!! Thanks Tina!
So exciting Allie, I cannot wait to hear how you get on! I am right there with you on so many of these things! I love seeing groups of runners out, I love seeing all runners out in the summers, it just makes me smile and appreciate it. Sometimes I find even if I have run during the day, seeing others running makes me want to go again for that rush of endorphins….I may not be saying that after todays 19 mile progression run though 😛
I always said I would ONLY get a tattoo if I make an olympic team….so we shall see 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
I’m positive you will get that tattoo Tina! And yes, I know how you feel when you see other people running – it just makes you want to join them. Good luck on the 19 miler progression. I hope you felt strong through the finish!
I have no time for tv either. I just can’t sit still and watch. Sometimes my family will watch and I will be in the room but I will be working on something. I am so enjoying this sunshine…I’ve already been out on the trails for a few miles this morning and then a friend just texted me to go running with her, so I am going to go out with her too. Since I took the weekend off (track meet all day Saturday, soccer Sunday), today will end up being a good day for mileage for me. 🙂 The race is coming up fast for you! When do you leave?!
I’m jealous. Today is my rest day and it’s so beautiful out but here I sit. I haven’t even been outside since dropping the kids at school. Shame on me. Enjoy that run!!
I leave on May 28th and the actual race is on June 1st.
There’s been a couple of times I didn’t realize I was chafed until I got into the shower. YOW!! Why does that hurt so much? I haven’t had a pedicure in probably a year because I feel so uncomfortable about all my runner foot problems.
It’s the worst!!!
Don’t let that stop you. I’m sure, no matter how bad you think your feet are, they have seen much worse. Just do it mama!
Yeah I’m so excited for you!!! Team USA all the way baby!!!
I don’t blame you for not wanting to cycle in the rain. I have before but only when it has been raining lightly. I’m such a girl and I get upset when mud gets on my cute cycling clothes and bike. haha!
Ha ha – that is too funny. I’m more afraid of wiping out and breaking my leg!
Thanks Brittany!!
I think it’s awesome you sleep with your gear on! If you get the “bull” may I suggest you get it somewhere you can show it off if you want but not always seen. I am a proud Penn Stater and my nittany lion tatoo is on my hip so visible with a swimsuit, easy to show if I want, but not mucking up my work day 🙂
That’s the real issue, isn’t it? I was thinking of getting it on my foot somewhere but not sure about the pain level!?
say what? You don’t like body chafing. But isn’t it kinda like burpees — a love/hate thing? Oh, no? never mind then.
Burpees don’t hurt as much when in contact with water 🙂
Yay for Spain! The highlight for my weekend was getting to THREE yoga classes. Just what I need right now. And I survived John’s training for Am Zoff! LOTS of run, bike, run this weekend. LOTS. I have three tattoos and one more being thought of. I couldn’t tell which foot was yours! I was looking for missing toe nails 🙂
Wow – three? That is my dream come true, and hopefully what I will be doing all summer.
What and where are these tattoos? Clearly we will need to discuss this!
I actually have never, ever lost a toenail. Weird but true.
I’m so glad you made it to UConn! We’re definitely headed there one of these nice days, although this week looks not nice at all after today. Boo!
I have no tattoos and I probably never will, but I totally see why people get them.
We actually went a few weeks ago just by chance. The weather was so nice and we had the time so…
No moose tattoo?
The highlight of my week was spending uninterrupted time with my teenage daughter. We were on a staycation and our mornings were very low key. Just sitting and talking, Life is so busy and kids grow up so fast, that those are the kind of moments that make my week.
That sounds lovely! I very seldom get some time like that with my aunts and it’s always the best!
Oof, the chafing.
The highlight of my week? Was getting over the 2 day migraine that made me so useless, I couldn’t even get on the computer (the light hurt my eyes, my face, my head).
Oh Alison – that is horrible! I hope you were catered to while in such a state. Hopefully that will be the only one…
The first time I ran with a camel back I ignored my husband’s suggestion to wear a shirt over my sports bra – 16 miles later I had a hole in my back from the straps rubbing – the shower was miserable (screaming and cussing happened!!).
I just got a pedi today with my sister – she needed it after being pregnant and I just needed one!!!
I do have a tattoo – a longhorn. It is on my right lower ab – it marked my big 40!
Don’t you hate it when they’re right? Of course my husband knows nothing about chafing but asks what all these scars are!!
So glad you and your sister got a pedi. She definitely needed it!
I like the placement of your tattoo. I’m still trying to decide where to get mine 🙂
So I have been missing from the blog scene entirely too long. I had no idea you were harboring all of this goodness – Spain? That is awesome! Congrats and good luck! I have one little tattoo and definitely looking for another very, very, very soon.
Thanks Andrea! I’ve missed you!!
I’ve heard (and seen) that tattoos get addictive and it’s hard to get just one…
That granola looks SO good! PB pretzel granola with chocolate chips..YUM!!!! I can’t believe it is getting so close!!! I am so excited for you!!!! Your weekend sounds so awesome! Nails, dates bdays!!!
My friends help me with my sanity and encourage me to keep going on blah days :)!
No tattoos…no plans to ever get one!…ouch!
I promise you, that granola does not disappoint – although I haven’t tried the PB pretzel with chocolate chips yet!
So glad you’re surrounded by good friends who support you. What would we do without them?
I’m a little afraid of the pain factor but, nothing can probably compare to the pain of training for this race 🙂
Oh my gosh I know I’m late but this is so much fun! I love the running group story, I’d be a bunch of giggles (assuming I’d run past them in the first place!) I hate that this nasty weather won’t let you be great with your cycling! Hopefully by the end of the week you will get some better weather.
I hope so! I’m also looking forward to an early morning run in a certain city in a couple weeks 🙂
The highlight of my week….have NO PAIN on my trial run today! So excited! I don’t have any tattoos and i doubt I will ever get one, just don’t really have a desire. I thought about it in my early 20’s and then got my belly button pierced instead when it was cool….don’t have that anymore, took it out when I got pregnant 6 years ago!
Good luck with your run!! I’m sure it will be pain-free 🙂
I pierced my nose instead of getting a tattoo in college. That came out when I got my first “real” job a few years later. Sometimes I wish I still had it…